Bath and massage brush



Jan. 14, 1947." w -2,414,321

. BATH AND MASSAGE BRUSH Filed April 10, 1943 INVENTOR MLBUR MILLER.

Hrs ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 14, 1947 UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE earn AND Messiaen BRUSH Wilburlllillerilas'adena, Calif. 7 Application April 10, 1943, Serial No.482;541

:Another object of this invention is to provide H a bath-brush having a handle means and a head mounted on the handle means for universal movement, so that the position of the head automatically changes to conform to the body of the bather. The bath brushes in general useembody fixed heads and when such a conventional brush is employed to wash the bathers back the brush headdoes not conform to the body but only its edge portions come into use. In the brush of the present invention the head has a universal mounting and automatically moves into full, effective engagement with the body of the bather.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bath brush of the character mentioned in which the head comprises a pad of rubber or the like presenting a multiplicity of small projections'or 'knobs of the same material that are effective in massaging the skin when left exposed, and which further embodies a fabric cover adapted to be applied over the knobs at the option of the bather to be used in washing the skin. The fabric cover may be formed of toweling or the like and functions in a manner similar to a wash cloth. When the fabric cap or cover is used the raised nodules or knobs of the head leave or provide a substantial reservoir under the fabric cover to retain soap, soapy water, etc. to facilitate the bathing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bathbrush of the character mentioned in which the fabric cover or cap is easily applied to.and removed from the head of the brush and may be laundered at will to be kept in a sanitary condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bath brush of the character referred to in which the head is a simple one-piece element devoid of hair bristles and readily maintained in a sanitary condition.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bath brush of the character referred to in which the head may be easily and quickly removed from the handle means to be held directly in the bathers hand for bathing and massaging purposes. V

.A further object of this inventionis to provide a. bath brush of the character mentioned that embodies a simple handle means adapted to be applied to the head to universally support the same and adapted to be engaged between the 2 bathersfingers to facilitate the direct use of the brush head.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical, preferred form and application of the invention, throughout whichdescription reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the brush of this invention, .Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed sectional viewof thehead and the universal mounting of the head. Fig. 3 is a face view of the head with a portion of the fabric cover broken away. Fig. 4 is a reduced view similar to Fig. 2 showing the finger grip on the head and Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of the finger grip removed from the head.

The bath brush of the present invention includes, generally, a handle means It), a head H removably and universally secured to the handle means Iii, a removable cap or cover l2 for the head I! and a removable hand grip 3 for the head.

The handle means Ii] includes a handle or hand grip l4 and an elongate stem I5 extending from the handle grip. The grip I4 is shaped and proportioned to be conveniently grasped by the bather. The grip l4 may be an elongate part of round cross section whose forward portion is reduced in diameter. Longitudinal grooves [6 are provideolin the hand grip l4 so that it will not slip in the hand of the bather. The hand grip it may be formed of plastic, hard rubber, or the like. The stem I5 is an elongate member fixed to the hand grip It to extend forwardly therefrom. The stem i5 may be relatively small in diameter and is preferably constructed of metal which is suitably plated. The head I I is removably secured to the outer end :of the stem l5 and the stem is shaped or curved so that the head may be conveniently engaged with and operated over the bathers back. The body or main portion of the stem l5 extends forwardly from the hand grip M which is at the inner end of the stem and then sweeps or curves laterally and forwardly. A substantially.right-angled bend ll occurs at the outer end of the curved body of the stem and extends laterally in a direction opposite to that in which the body of the stem extends relative to the handle. It is to be observed that the handle means Ill just described is very simp16.

The head ll ofthebrush is in the nature of a pad and in .accordancewit'h the invention is formed :of flexible resilient material .such'as rubwith a tubular bead 23. .either a drawstring or an annular elastic 24. If

:the cap I2.

her, rubber composition or synthetic rubber.- In

the embodiment of the invention illustrated the head I I is disc-shaped, it being apparent that the head may be oval or of other shapes. The forward or active side of the head II is substantially flat While the rear side is conical having a surface which slopes or converges rearwardly to provide a central boss I8. The forward or active face of the head II is shaped to be effective in bathing and massaging. A multiplicity of spaced teeth or knobs I9 is provided on the face of the head I I. The series of nodules or knobs I9 may substantially cover the entire face of the head I I and, as illustrated, the knobs may be uniformly spaced. It is preferred to make the teeth or knobs I9 of substantial length to be freely flexible and pliable. The projections or knobs I9 are prefere ably integral with the head II and in any case are flexible and resilient. The massaging knobs is have rounded ends and smooth surfaces and are formed to be readily cleaned. The hand grip i4 and the head I I may be of any selected color or colors and the brush of the invention may be produced to match, contrast or blend with different color schemes.

In accordance with the invention a releasable 'uiniversal connection is provided between the .head II and the handle means II]. This connec 'tion includes a socket 20 in the boss I8 of the head II. The socket 20 is spherical and has a mouth 2I that opens at the outer end of the boss I8. The universal mounting means further includes a knob or ball 22 on the outer end of the stem I5. The ball 22 is fixed to or integral with the extremity of the stem. The ball 22 is adapted to be passed through the mouth or neck :2! into the socket 20 and is proportioned to be rather closely received in the socket. As illustrated, the mouth or neck 2| may be relatively small in diameter so that the ball 22 must be forced through it to snap into the socket 20. This prevents accidental or unintentional disengagement of the head I I from the handle means. The head II is free to turn and tilt on the ball 22, but the fit of the ball 22 in the socket 20 is such that the resiliency of the material around the socket 2:! holds the head against free or unintentional movement and a slight force is required to turn or tilt the head. In other words, the head I! may freely tilt or pivot with respect to the handle means IE] to conform to the bather's body, but will not be excessively loose or free. When the head II is wet with water and/or soap the ball 22 may be readily snapped into and out of the socket 26 when suitable force is applied, but will not disengage itself from the socket without the application ofsubstantial force.

The cover I2 is adapted to be applied to the brush head II when desired. The cover I2 is formed of a suitable fabric such as toweling. As illustrated, the cover I2 may be formed from a disc-shaped piece of fabric provided at its edge The bead 23 contains .desired there may be a simple continuous or :annular binding of elastic along the margin of The cap I2 is proportioned so that :it is adapted to entirely cover the face of the engaged on the head II and removed from the head when desired. It is to be observed that the nodules or knobs I9 hold the fabric of the cover I2 spaced away from the face of the head II, thus providing a substantial reservoir for water, soap, etc. This construction also forms a sponge-like cushion which makes the brush ideal for the most sensitive skin. I a

The invention includes a hand grip I3 to facilitate the use of the head II when the head is disengaged from the handle means In (see Figs. 4 and 5). The head II with or without the cover I2 is useful in washing and massaging the various parts of the body and it is not always desirable or necessary to employ the handle means III throughout the entire bathing operation. Figs.

head II and have its marginal portions engage over the'edge of the head to extend some distance rearwardly across the back of the head onthe head. It is believed that it will be apparent how the cover I2 may be easily and quickly the wings 2'I lie in spaced adjacent relation to the rear face of the head II. When the ball 25 has been snapped into the socket 20 the bather may pass his fingers between the rear of the head II and the wings 21 to support and hold the head II for massaging and bathing. It'is to be observed that the head II is adapted to turn and tilt on the ball 25 to conform to the body when used in the .manner just described.

The head II may be used to advantage when held directly in the hand and it is not alway necessary or desirable to employ either the handle means It or the grip I3. In this connection it is to be understood that the brush head I I is shaped and proportioned to be conveniently held in the hand of the bather.

It is believed that the utility and practicability of the bath brush of this invention will be readily understood from the foregoing detailed description. As above described the head II may be readily secured to the handle means I 0 by forcing or snapping the ball 22 into the socket 20. The head I I thus secured to the handle means I0 is dependably retained on the stem I5 but is free to turn and tilt at will to conform to the users body. This is particularly important when WaSh-' ing or massaging the back and assures the full, even engagement of the head with the body. The head may be employed without the cover I2 in bathing and massaging. The cover I2 may be readily engaged on the head II. The fabric cover I2 forms a sanitary, convenient means functioning in substantially the same way as awash cloth. The elongate teeth or knobs I9 under "the cover I2 provide a large reservoir for Water, soap, soapy water, etc., and the porous cloth I2 may be soaped and rinsed at will, A plurality of'covers I2 may be supplied with the brush and these may be laundered as required. Furthermore, the

covers I2 may be replaced when worn. The hand grip l3 materially facilitates the use of the brush head when the head is removed from the handle and application of my invention I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but Wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A bath brush including two units, one comprising an integral body of rubber including a flexible head with a generally flat front working face and a boss forming the back of the head, said boss having a spherically curved socket therein and a circular restricted neck opening providing access to the socket, the axi of the neck opening being substantially normal to the plane of the face of the head, the other unit including an elongate stem with inner and outer end portions, a handle on the inner end of the inner end portion of the stem, the said inner end portion of the stem extending forward and laterally from the handle and the outer end portion of the stem extending laterally from the inner portion of the stem in a general direction opposite to that in which the inner end portion of the stem extends laterally from the handle, and a spherically curved enlargement on the outer end of said outer end portion of the stem, the neck opening being smaller in diameter than the enlargement on the stem and being substantially larger indiameter than the stem, the enlargement being insertable into and removable from the socket upon expansion of the neck opening, the enlargement and socket cooperating so the first mentioned unit is vdetachably coupled to the other unit at .a point spaced a substantial distance forward of the handle and in substantial alignment therewith and for universal movement and for rotation when the enlargement is engaged in the socket.

2. A bath brush including two units, one formed of an integral body of rubber including a generally flat disc-shaped head With a front working face, said head having a thin flexible peripheral portion, and a central round boss forming the back of the head, said boss having a spherically curved socket therein and a circular restricted neck opening providing access to the socket, the socket and neck opening being generally faced opposite from the face of the head, the face of the head being generally flat and provided with spaced nodules, the other unit including an elongate stem, a handle on one end of the stem and a spherically curved enlargement on the other end of the stem, the neck opening being smaller in diameter than the enlargement on the stem and being substantially larger in diameter than the stem, the enlargement being insertable into and removable from the socket upon expansion of the neck opening, the first mentioned unit being detachably coupled to the other unit for universal movement and for rotation when the enlargement is engaged in the socket with the stem passing through the neck opening with substantial clearance.

WILBUR MILLER. 

